What you need to know about the AMH test (Anti-Mullerian Hormone Test)!

Are you thinking about having a child or starting a family? Then you are probably a little curious, maybe even nervous, about your "biological clock," that is, the time it takes to have a child. It is normal for questions like "Do I still have time?" and "How is my fertility?" to come to mind. Fortunately, because medical science has advanced today, there are tests that help us get an idea of ​​​​such things. One such test that is talked about by many people, and which is very important, is the AMH test. Today, we will talk about everything in a very simple way, in a way that you can understand.

Simply put, what is AMH?

AMH is the short name for Anti-Mullerian Hormone . This is a hormone produced in our bodies. This hormone is produced in the bodies of both men and women. However, its role and importance are different for both.

Think about it, when a baby is developing in the womb, a hormone called AMH is very important for the proper development of the baby's sexual organs. If it is a male fetus, the AMH level in its body is very high. The reason for this is that the AMH hormone prevents the development of female reproductive organs (such as the uterus) in the male fetus. A female fetus needs this AMH hormone in very small amounts.

Now let's talk about a woman who has reached puberty. A woman's AMH hormone is produced by cells inside the follicles in her ovaries. These follicles are like little sacs. Inside these sacs are stored the eggs.

Here's the important thing: the amount of AMH in a woman's blood gives us a good idea of ​​her ovarian reserve , that is, the number of eggs she has left.

• If your AMH level is high: It means that you have more eggs left in your ovaries. This means that your ovarian reserve is high.
• If your AMH level is low: This means that there are few eggs left in your ovaries. This means that your ovarian reserve is low.

In what situations would a doctor suggest an AMH test?

A gynecologist usually recommends this test when they need to assess your fertility and reproductive health. Here are some examples:

• If you are having difficulty conceiving a child: If you have been trying for a year or more and have not conceived a child, an AMH test may be suggested as one of the tests performed to find out the cause.
• When planning fertility treatments: Knowing your AMH level is especially important when considering treatments like IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) . Your AMH level is what your doctor uses to determine how your body will respond to the hormone injections that stimulate egg development. If your AMH level is high, you can expect to successfully retrieve more eggs.
• When planning a family for the future: Maybe you are not yet married, or maybe you are planning to have a child in the next few years. In such a case, this test will help you get a rough idea of ​​your egg reserve. This will help you make an informed decision about whether to delay having a child or not.
• If you have a family history of premature menopause: If your mother or sister stopped menstruating before the age of 40, this test may be useful to see if you are also at risk.
• If you suspect you have PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome): Because women with PCOS have a large number of small follicles in their ovaries, their AMH levels may be much higher than normal.
• In ovarian cancer: In some rare types of ovarian cancer (e.g., granulosa cell tumor), AMH levels are used as a tumor marker. This test can be used to see if treatment is successful or if the cancer has come back.

What can we really know from this AMH test?

The AMH test is a powerful tool that provides a lot of important information about your reproductive health.

1. A rough idea of ​​how many eggs are left: This is the most important thing. It gives you the best indication of how many eggs are left in your "egg account."

2. Ovarian Aging Rate: Some women's ovaries age faster than their actual age. This means that their egg reserves deplete more quickly. By looking at their AMH levels, you can tell if your egg reserves are lower than normal for your age.

3. Fertility Window: A decreasing AMH level may indicate that your window of opportunity to conceive is getting shorter. This is not to worry you, but it is important information to consider when making decisions about having children.

4. Response to IVF treatment: As mentioned earlier, AMH levels help predict how your body will respond to the hormone injections given to stimulate egg development during IVF.

Where many people make mistakes: Things the AMH test can't tell you!

This part is very important. Many people think that the AMH test can tell them exactly whether they will be able to have a baby or not. This is a completely wrong idea. There are things that the AMH test says, but there are also things that it doesn't say .

Similarly, the AMH test only tells you about the quantity of eggs . It doesn't tell you anything about the quality of the eggs . Just as the quantity of eggs needed to conceive a child is important, the quality of those eggs is also very important. The main factor that determines the quality of the eggs is the woman's age.

So remember, the AMH test will never tell you these things:

• A prediction about your fertility: Even a woman with low AMH levels can get pregnant naturally. Similarly, a woman with high AMH levels may have difficulty getting pregnant for other reasons.
• The exact time you will experience menopause: Although a decrease in AMH levels may indicate that menopause is approaching, this test cannot tell you exactly when it will occur.
• Other factors that affect pregnancy: Pregnancy is a complex process. There are so many other factors that affect it!
• your age
• Your partner's sperm count and motility
• Whether or not you ovulate regularly
• Are the fallopian tubes blocked?
• Conditions like endometriosis
• Tumors such as fibroids in the uterus
• Lifestyle habits such as smoking

Therefore, AMH value is only one part of the whole picture. Don't base your decisions on it alone.

What should the AMH level be normally?

AMH levels change with your age. AMH levels usually increase during adolescence and peak around age 25. Then, as you get older, AMH levels naturally begin to gradually decrease.

AMH is measured in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). There may be slight variations in values ​​depending on the equipment used in different labs. However, here are some generally accepted levels:

What is your AMH level for your age?

Since it is normal for AMH to decrease with age, you should expect the AMH level of someone in their 30s and 40s to be lower than that of someone in their 25s. Here is a rough idea of ​​it.

Important: A high AMH level is not always a good thing. As mentioned earlier, some women with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) may have abnormally high AMH levels. Therefore, do not jump to conclusions based on your AMH level alone. It should definitely be evaluated by a doctor in conjunction with your age and other clinical information.

How is the test done and how should I prepare?

It's very simple. The AMH test is just a simple blood test. A nurse takes a small sample of blood from a vein in your arm. It only takes a few minutes.

One of the biggest advantages of this test is that it can be done on any day of your monthly cycle. While some other hormone tests, like FSH, need to be done on specific days of the cycle, AMH levels remain constant throughout the month, so you can do it on any day that is convenient for you.

There is nothing special you need to prepare for before this test. You don't need to restrict your diet or do anything else.

Usually, if you send the blood sample to a lab, it can take a few days for the results to come back. Once the results are received, your doctor will call you back and explain the results to you. They will consider not only your AMH level, but also your ultrasound scan, other hormone tests, and your medical history to give you the most appropriate advice and treatment plan.

AMH, Anti-Mullerian Hormone, Ovarian Reserve, Fertility, Pregnancy, IVF, Women's Health